The 2017 EBA collected data in 62 countries, including Sudan for the second consecutive year.

With the agriculture and livestock sector in Sudan contributing 30 to 35 per cent to the country’s economy and at least half of the economically active population dependent on agriculture, the sector’s potential remains under-utilized.

Though the country registered improvement in the area of machinery and access to finance, more needs to be done as machinery and seed are the only areas where Sudan does not fall below the regional average of regulatory best practices.

The World Bank worked with the Sudan Multi-Partner Fund which supports financial inclusion for women and youth in agribusiness to improve the finance score from 27.1 in 2016 to 33.93, out of a hundred, in 2017.

Abdel-Latif Ijaimi, Federal Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Sudan noted, “Being included in the Enabling the Business of Agriculture report provides Sudan with an important opportunity to measure and compare its progress towards a stronger agribusiness sector.”

The country will now dialogue with partners and stakeholders to implement the recommendations of the EBA.

Confirming the Group’s commitment to supporting Sudan in building a strong agro-industrialization sector, World Bank Country Representative to Sudan Xavier Furtado said they are pleased with the country’s efforts to revitalize its agricultural sector towards inclusive pro-poor growth.

The World Bank’s further technical assistance to Sudan’s agricultural sector includes a large-scale study on Agriculture and Natural Resource Management; Sudan’s inclusion in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research; and the Multi-Partner Fund.